Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has been identified as one of the seven priority areas for educational development in Southeast Asia from 2015 to 2035. This was officially confirmed by the Southeast Asian ministers of education at the Strategic Dialogue of Education Ministers (SDEM) meeting held in Lao PDR in September 2014.
In response to the ASEAN integration, the perceived mobility of skilled workers in the region, and the need to improve the quality of TVET in Southeast Asia, the 1st High Officials Meeting (HOM) on SEA-TVET was hosted by the Office of the Vocational Education Commission, Ministry of Education Thailand on 24-26 August 2015 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This was held under the theme: “Working Together towards Harmonisation and Internationalisation of TVET in Southeast Asia”.
As a result of the 1st HOM on SEA-TVET, the “Chiang Mai Joint Statement on Harmonisation and Internationalisation of TVET in Southeast Asia”, which included 4 priority industry areas were officially announced as the regional policy directions that emerged from the TVET High Officials Round Table Meeting.
The establishment of the “SEA-TVET Consortium” was one of the recommended strategies from the TVET High Officials from the Southeast Asian countries to promote TVET student and staff exchange, which shall include cross-country industrial attachment and internship programmes. In addition, the SEA-TVET Consortium will formalise the partnership among TVET institutions and industry sectors, and operationalise SEA-TVET activities, implemented by SEAMEO in order to achieve the following goals.
SEA-TVET Consortium comprises TVET institutions in Southeast Asian countries that agree to work together in harmonising and internationalising their programmes through curriculum harmonisation, students and staff exchange, and industrial attachment, and resource sharing.
Following are the priority study areas of the consortium.
The main activities under SEA-TVET consortium are :
Students’ exchange will be performed by TVET institutions. The number and the duration will be decided by participating schools, colleges, and polytechnics. Ideally, the minimum duration for students’ exchange is 1 month to 3 months or one year, but considering various school capacity an institution may have shorter duration of student exchange. The details of implementing student exchange, such as harmonising curriculum for possible matriculation and recognition, arranging the student travel, and prepare pre-departure programme.
To have staff exchange, the participating schools must discuss the arrangement, such as identifying and selecting subject teachers, assignments given during the exchange, the duration, and cost sharing.
Industrial Attachment is part of students and staff exchange. The host institution will identify and communicate with participating industries regarding the number of students and staff that can be accommodated for industrial attachment.
Sharing best resources/practices and to generate new/innovative ideas through research collaboration
Sharing best resources/practices and to generate new/innovative ideas through research collaboration
